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Reed are here to help you take your next step in the world of work, whatever it is. From recruiting talented individuals across 20 sectors for a permanent, temporary, or interim role; to recruiting at scale, and screening, your local recruiter have a solution that will ensure your business thrives. Alternatively, if you're looking to take the next step in your career, or break into a completely new sector, our experts can help.
4th Floor, Castlemead, Lower Castle St, Bristol, City and County of Bristol, BS1 3AG
+ 62 other offices
Rykard Engineering is a national multi-sector recruitment specialist that caters to the Engineering and Manufacturing markets. With teams based in Portsmouth and Bristol, they aid in filling both contract and permanent vacancies at all levels. Rykard Engineering provides recruitment services to various disciplines, including Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Electronics, FMCG, Medical, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, and Power.
6, Studio 31, 31 Berkeley Square, Bristol, Avon, BS8 1HP
Ernest Gordon Recruitment is based in Bristol that offers staffing solutions in sectors such as Automotive, Aviation, Construction, Design, and Logistics. They operate throughout the UK and offer permanent, temporary and contract vacancies for roles such as Graduate Estimator, AIT Engineer, IT Manager, and more.
Suite 1d, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, Avon, BS1 2NT
Manpower specialises in recruiting temporary and permanent roles for the Manufacturing; Warehouse and Logistics; Contact Centres; Engineering and Automotive; Office Administration; Marketing and Creative; and Public Sectors nationwide and internationally. The agency has 3,000 offices in 80 countries.
2nd Floor, Aurora Building, Finzels Reach, Bristol, Avon, BS1 6BX
+ 19 other offices
Pay in the Avon motor trade reflects a mix of urban Bristol and commuter towns. Experienced vehicle technicians often sit in the £34,000 to £45,000 range, with MOT testers near £28,000 to £38,000, service advisors near £25,000 to £32,000 plus commission, and sales executives on £20,000 basic with £45,000 to £60,000 OTE. Contract work for diagnostic techs can reach £22 to £30 per hour in peak months, and bodyshop painters or preppers can expect strong rates when workloads rise after seasonal bumps. Recruitment fees for permanent hires tend to land in the mid teens to low twenties as a percentage of salary, with temp agencies charging hourly margin on top of pay rates, so always ask for a clear breakdown of agency costs before you sign. Employers should budget for tools allowances, overtime, and bonuses tied to labour sales, and candidates should look at benefits like manufacturer training and journey to work support near key commuter links.
For technicians, NVQ or IMI Level 2 or 3 carries weight, with EV and hybrid accreditation now common in dealership and fast fit settings. MOT testers need DVSA approval and up to date annual training. Parts and service teams benefit from manufacturer systems training and strong DMS familiarity, and bodyshop roles often look for ATA accreditation. Senior aftersales roles and workshop control posts usually want proven KPI delivery on labour recovery, first time fix, and CSI, backed by steady tenure in a branded or independent environment.
Avon covers Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, and tight labour supply near Avonmouth, Filton, and Cribbs Causeway can stretch lead times for hiring. Many candidates commute on the M4, M5, and M32, or in from Portishead and Keynsham, which means travel time and parking can sway acceptance. Electric vehicle know how is in demand in Bristol and along the M5 corridor, and smart diagnostics in modern workshops narrows the pool for master techs. Recruiters help local employers cut through this, presenting screened shortlists and handling quick backfills when a service bay goes dark.
Recruitment agencies in Avon place technicians, MOT testers, PDI and fast fit staff, service advisors, parts advisors, workshop controllers, bodyshop painters and MET techs, dealership sales executives, business managers, and aftersales leaders. Staffing agencies also support roadside assistance, mobile tyre, rental and fleet prep, and accident repair centres. Executive search comes into play for head of business, aftersales director, and multi site service leadership when retention or growth plans require proven operators.
Local businesses tap temp cover to protect workshop throughput during holidays and training weeks, and contract assignments backfill long term leave or project launches, for example a new site in a retail park. Permanent hiring underpins continuity in customer relationships, especially for service advisors and front of house roles handling diaries and CSI follow up. Jobseekers can register with an agency for alerts on short term shifts, weekend work, or a move into a permanent post once the fit is clear.
Bristol brings dealer groups and independent garages near Temple Quarter, St Philips, and Bedminster, with strong demand around Avonmouth Severnside for fleet and HGV prep. Bath leans towards prestige and heritage restoration, where careful craftsmanship and parts sourcing knowledge matter. North Somerset sites near Weston super Mare often balance coastal trade and commuter traffic, and South Gloucestershire benefits from proximity to Filton and Patchway, with easy links to the M4 and the Second Severn Crossing. These pockets change pay rates and hours, so recruiters will align shortlists to your catchment.
Right to work checks, DVLA licence validation for road testing, and clean insurance profiles are standard. Bodyshop environments follow COSHH and paint shop safety, with candidates expected to understand safe handling. Dealership roles handling payments need basic finance checks, and some fleet operators request DBS checks for mobile work on customer sites. Recruiters keep compliance in step with workshop audits and dealer group policies, keeping paperwork tidy before start dates.
Technicians can step into master roles, workshop control, and then aftersales management. Service advisors can move into senior service, retention, or warranty, and many advance to service manager with the right KPI track record. Parts roles can lead to trade counter or parts manager posts, sometimes expanding into group level stock control. Sales executives with steady volumes and CSI often take a route into business manager, then sales manager, then head of business. Agencies and recruitment consultants can map these paths with you, pointing to training that will lift pay and prospects.
Local employers tend to brief recruiters on workshop size, brand tooling, and diary pressure points, then agree shortlisting timelines and interview slots. Good recruitment consultants will pre check skill fit, travel plans, and availability. For permanent placements, fees are usually linked to start salary, with rebates set on a sliding scale. For temps, confirm pay rates, overtime, and out of hours call out, and agree the charge rate and any temp to perm terms. Clear notes on start dates, uniform, parking, and induction routines cut first day issues and support retention.
Can agencies help with same week workshop cover in Avon?
Yes, when you brief early and confirm charge rates and hours, many can fill shifts at short notice.
What paperwork should an MOT tester bring to interview?
Bring current DVSA status, annual training proof, and ID for right to work checks.
Do candidates pay recruitment fees in the UK?
No, employers pay recruitment fees, jobseekers should never be charged to register with an agency.
How do I compare agency quotes fairly?
Ask each employment firm to confirm pay, charge rate, and margin, then line them up with the same hours and duties.
What transport links help with early starts in Bristol and Bath?
Check the M32 for Bristol sites, the A4 and A36 for Bath, and rail into Temple Meads and Bath Spa for city centre roles.
Recruitment agencies and staffing agencies give local businesses reach into passive candidates across the labour market, and that saves time when a ramp is empty and bookings are full. Employers can hire staff faster, find employees for specialist bays, or test a contractor during a busy quarter, and jobseekers can register with an agency to hear about roles before they hit boards. With a mix of temporary, permanent, and contract work, recruiters tune searches to your catchment, talk salaries and pay rates with clarity, and keep recruitment fees transparent, which suits Bristol, Bath, and the business parks that ring the M4 and M5.